Connecting scientific knowledge on climate change with the emotional understanding needed for action depends heavily on the capacity of journalists. Many journalists currently lack adequate training and subject knowledge to accurately understand and report on climate-related issues. This gap can be addressed by investing time and effort into learning climate science and environmental systems. Journalists must go beyond surface-level reporting and develop a deeper understanding of the complexities of climate change to communicate it responsibly. When journalists possess strong scientific grounding, they are better equipped to translate complex data into relatable narratives that resonate emotionally with audiences. Such informed communication, is essential for building awareness, trust, and sustained public engagement with climate action, said Prof Govind Singh, Media Advisor to Uttarakhand CM.
The expert was responding to a question by a Yuva sustainability intern on how can storytelling serve as a bridge between scientific knowledge on climate change and the emotional understanding needed to try for this, during the 2nd Yuva Sustainability Webinar on Telling Climate & Disaster Stories Right.
Teeshtha Bhawsar, a first year Economics student at Kanoria PG Mahila Mahavidyalaya, Jaipur, is a Yuva Sustainability Intern.